Interval timer



c. J. GOODHOUSE ETAL 2,943,159

June 28, 1960 INTERVAL TIMER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 INVENTORS.

(4,91 .4 6000 4015: 6/9/5774 Md JJld/V June 28, 1960 c. J. GOODHOUSE ET 2,943,159

INTERVAL TIMER Filed Aug. 4, 1958 s Sheets-Sheet 2 59 S 6 INVENTORS.

iffOP/VIH June 28, 1960 c. J. GOODHOUSE ETAL 2,943,159

INTERVAL TIMER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 4, 1958 I 20 IN VENTORS.

/57 J- #06 32 H B? v I; 7084/! K United States Patent V INTERVAL TIMER Carl J. Goodhouse, Litchiield, and Christian M. .I. Jauch, Winsted, Conn., assignors to General Time Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 4, 1958, Ser. No. 752,753

6 Claims. (Cl. 200-33) The present invention relates generally to timing devices and more particularly to an interval timer for operating a switch through a preselected cycle.

It is the general aim of this invention to provide a timing device permitting pushbutton initiation of a preselected timing cycle, the duration of which an electrical switch is operated.

'It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the above type that permits the user to easily preselect a desired timing interval for the switch operating cycle, with this-interval being of constant length for each subsequent pushbutton initiation of the cycle.

It is also an objectv to provide'a timing device as characterized above that plainly indicates to the observer the time remaining during an operating cycle.

Moreover, it is an object to provide a device having the above features whose controls are simple, easily understandable, and readily operable.

It is another object to provide such a device that is quite flexible in use since the timing cycle, once begun, can be shortened or lengthened as desired by simple manipulation of the normal controls.

In addition to the above, it is an object to provide a timing device of the above character which is of simple, compact design so as to be reliable in operation, economical to manufacture and adapted for installation where space is at a preminum.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a timing device constructed in accordance with the present invention with portions of the frame being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 1; r

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the top face of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 1; and

'Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical circuit embodied in the illustrated device.

While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that we do not intend to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, we intend to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included'within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Turning now to the drawings, there is shown a timing device 10 embodying the present invention. In the illustrated form, the device is adapted to be connected to a source of electric current through electrical conductors 1'1 and is effective, when operated, to energize a conventional electrical socket 12 The device includes a frame Patented June 28, 1960 15 made up of a back plate 16, a center or main plate 17, and a face plate 18, which are rigidly joined in spaced relation by a plurality of pillars 19.

In carrying out the present invention, a pair of electrical contacts are resiliently mounted on the frame '15 and are provide with a latch effective for holding the con tacts in operated relation. In the present embodiment, a pair of contacts 20 are mounted respectively on resilient spring arms 21, 22. The spring arms 21, 22 are carried by an insulated block assembly 23 secured to the undersurface of the face plate 18. The contacts 20 are normally held by the spring arms 21, 22 in separated or open relation.

In order to hold the contacts in their operated or closed position, a spring latch 25 is provided, mounted in an insulating block 26 under the face plate 18. The relaxed position of the latch 25 is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 2 so that the latch resiliently bears against the end of the contact arm 22, when the contacts 20 are open.

In operation, the contacts 20 are closed by swinging their respective contact arms 21, 22 downwardly, as seen in Fig. 2, to their dashed line positions. When the arm 21 clears the latch 25, the, latch will swing to its relaxed position so that its lower end 27 engages the top surface of the contact arm 21. The latch thus prevents. the contacts from returning to their normal .open positions. Movement of the latch 25 to the left in Fig. 2 until the latch clears the contact arm 21 permits the contact arms 21, 22 to swing upwardly to their normal, contact-open positions.

In keeping with the invention, the device 10 includes a driven latch operatoradapted to release the latch 25, and a cycle initiating member which is effective to (1) operate and thus latch the contacts 20, (2) position the latch operator a preselected distance from the latch, and (3) start the driven operator towards the latch so that the contacts are restored to their normal open positions following a predetermined time interval. In the illustrated device, the latch operator takes the form of a cam arm 30 which is secured to a main post or shaft 31. The shaft 31 is journalled in the frame 15 by a cylindrical bushing 32 fixed in the face plate 18 and a bushing 33 mounted on the main plate 17.

When in operation, the cam arm 30 is driven in a clockwise direction, as seen in Fig. 2, so that it is effective to engage the latch 25 and swing it outwardly of the contact arms 21, 22. For driving the cam arm, a synchronous motor assembly including a motor 35 and a speed reducing gear train in a gear case 36 is secured to the underside of the main frame plate 17. The motor 35 drives a pinion 37 which is in meshing engagement with a gear wheel 38. The gear wheel is fixed to a sleeve. 39 which is rotatably carried on the shaft 31.

So that the cam arm 30 may be positioned at preselected distances from the latch 25 and yet be driven by the motor 35, a releasable clutch 40 is provided for coupling the sleeve 39 and the shaft 31. In the preferred embodiment, the clutch 40 includes a helical spring 41 wound snugly around adjacent cylindrical portions 42 and 43 of the shaft 31 and sleeve 39, respectively. 'The spring 41 is Wound so that rotation of the gear whel 38' in a clockwise direction, in Fig. 2, by the motor 35, will tend to tighten the spring around the cylindrical portions 42, 43 and; thus impart a clockwise driving force to the shaft 31. e

In order to release the clutch 40, a collar 44 is pro vided which loosely surrounds the helical spring 41, and

0 one end 45 of the spring is locked to the collar 44 by clockwise direction will tend to unwind the helical spring 41 from about the portion 4-2 of the shaft 31. This loosens the spring and permits the shaft 31 to rotate freely. The collar 44 thus serves as a clutch release element and a slight clockwise movement of the collar releases the clutch 40.

For the purpose of adjustably positioning the cam arm 30 from the latch 25 when the clutch 40 is released, the arm is resiliently urged in a counterclockwise direction toward an abutment mounted on the frame 15. Resiliently urging the arm 30, in the illustrated embodiment, is a tensioned spring 50 having one end secured at 51 to the face plate 18 and its opposite end attached to'a post 52 on the cam arm 30.

Providing an abutment for positioning the cam arm 30 is a pin 55 that is secured to a timing disc 56 and is extended downwardly through an arcuate slot 57 in the face plate 18 into the path of the cam arm. It can be seen that when the clutch 40 is released, the tensioned spring 50 will rotate the shaft 31 so as to swing the cam arm 30 against the abutment pin 55, the position shown in dashed lines in Fig. 2. p

The timing disc 56 is fixed to a sleeve 58 rotatably carried on the bushing 32. The disc 56 may therefore be rotated so as to move the pin 55 throughout the length of the slot 57 and thereby provide a range of positions for arresting the swinging movement of the cam arm 30.

order to lock the disc 56 in place while permitting it to be easily adjusted, a helical locking spring 60 is provided snugly surrounding adjacent cylindrical portions 61 and .62 of the.-bushing.32 and the sleeve 58, respectively. The spring "60' is wound so that a force tending to turn the disc 56 in a counterclockwise direction simply tends to tighten the spring about the cylindrical portions 61, 62, thereby locking the disc 56 against the counterclockwise movement. It will be appreciated that thedisc 56 will easily rotate in a clockwise direction since, when so rotated, the cylindrical sleeve-portion 62 tends to unwind, and thus slip within, the spring 60.

For the purpose of rotating the disc 56in either direction and thus adjustably position the abutment pin 55, a collar 65 carrying a gear Wheel 66 is provided surrounding the spring 60. The lower end 67 of the spring 60 is secured to the collar 65 by being fitted into an aperture in the collar. The gear wheel 66 is adapted to be rotated by a pinion 68 which isrcarried on a shaft 69 and has an adjusting knob 70.

The gear wheel 66 is coupled to the disc 56 by the pin 55, which passes through a slightly elongated aperture 59 in the gear wheel (see Fig. 5). When the knob 70 is rotated so as to turn the gear wheel 66 in a clockwise di rection, the edge of the opening 59 will strike the pin and carry the disc 56 in a clockwise direction. It will be recalled that the locking spring will readily permit movement of the disc in this direction.

When the knob 70 is rotated so as to turn the gear wheel 66 in a counterclockwise direction, there will be a limited amount of lost-motion movement as the gear wheel 66 and the collar move to bring the opposite edge of the aperture 59 into contact with the abutment pin 55. This lost-motion movement of the collar 65 in a counterclockwise direction carries the end 67 of the spring 60 in a direction to unwind the spring from about the bushing 32. Thisloosens the locking spring 60- and permits the disc 56 to be turned in a counterclockwise direction when the edge of the opening 59 in the gear wheel 66 engages the pin 55. It will therefore be understood that the disc. 56 and its attached abutment pin 55 can be easily rotated in either direction by simply turning the knob 70, but, when once positioned, the locking spring 60 will prevent the pin 55 from moving counterclockwise so that is forms a firm abutment for positioning the cam arm 30. v p v V In order'to visually indicate the position of the pin 55 to theoperator of the device" 10, the uppersurface of 4 the disc 56 is provided with a scale 7011 having indicia lines which cooperate with areference mark 71 appearing on the face plate 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the scale a indicates a range of from 0 to 30, which has reference to the number of minutes required for the motor 35 to drive the cam arm 30 from the abutment pin 55 to its latch releasing position. That is, with the numeral 15 opposite the mark 71 as in Fig. 4, the abutment 55 is positioned as shown in Fig. 2 and it will require fifteen minutes for the motor 35 to drive the cam arm clockwise from the dashed line position in Fig. 2 to its full-line position whereat the latch 25 is released.

T 0 initiate operation of the device 10, a pushbutton operated plate is slidably mounted in the frame 15 and is coupled both to the clutch 40 and the contacts 20. The plate is lidably mounted by having apertures 81 fitted on pins 82 which extend from the top of posts 83. The plate 80 is retained on the pins 82 by means of E-rings 84 snapped in place about the pins. A tensioned spring 85 is attached to the lower portion of a pin 86 secured to the plate 80 and-urges the plate upwardly in. Fig. 2 to a normal rest position.

,.For operating, and thus latching, the contacts 20 when the plate 80 is slid from its rest position, the .plate is provided with an upstandingpin 87 adapted to engage the contact arm 21 and move the contactsiinto their operating position when the plate is slid-from its rest position. So that the. plate 80 may release the clutch 40 when it is slid. from its 'restposition, a helical release spring. 90 is wound loosely around the collar 44 and has one end 91 fitted into a notch. 92 formed in the plate 80 (see Figs. 2 andi3). The spring 90 is wound so that clockwise movement of theend 91, as seen in Fig. 2, will tighten the spring about the collar 44 so as to rotate the collar in a clockwise direction. When the spring '90 is in its normal relaxed position, the collar 44 can rotate freely within it.

it can be seen therefore, that movement of the slide plate-80 downwardly, as seen in Fig. 2, will tighten the release spring 90 about the collar 44 and rotate the collar in a clockwise direction. As pointed out above, this will tend to unwind the clutch spring 41 and thus release the clutch 40. Simultaneously, movement of the plate 80 will cause the pin 87 to operate the contacts 20.

For operating the slide 80, a pushbutton is slidably mounted in the frame 15 and associated with a toggle linkage 101 that is effective to slide the plate 80 from its rest position when the pushbutton is depressed. The pushbutton is slidably fitted in an aperture 102 formed in the face plate 18, and is provided with a necked-down extension 103 which slides within a bracket 104. A locking ring 105 is secured to'the end of the extension 103 and abuts the underside of the bracket 104 to establish a normal upper position for the pushbutton.

The toggle linkage 101 includes a first link 106 which is pivoted to a bracket 107 by a generally U-shaped hinge clip 108. A second link 109 is pivoted to the free end of the first link 106 by a second hinge clip 111 and is provided with a forked end which hooks the pin 86 secured to the plate 80. The spring 85, acting through the plate 80 and the pin 86, holds the linkage 101 in its jack-knifed, raised position. It can be readily seen that when the pushbutton 100 is depressed, the jack-knifed links 106, 109 of the toggle mechanism will straighten out so as to urge the plate '80 to the left in Fig. 1.

In order to begin return movement of the camarm 30 toward the latch 25 as soon as the contacts 20 are operated, the motor 35 is electrically connected in parallel with the output socket 12 so that movement of the contacts 20 to their operative closed positions energizes the motor 35 as well as activates the socket 12 (see Fig. 6).

To indicate the time remaining before the latch 25 is operated and the contacts '20 restored, a dial plate 115 is mountedon-the:upper*end of the shaft 31"so as to overlie the centrahportion of the disc 56. -The plate 115 is provided with a scale 116 having indicia lines cooperable with the reference mark 71, and since both thedial plate 115 of the cam arm 30 are secured to the shaft 31, the steady movement of the arm 30 in a clockwise direction toward the latch 25 will be indicated on the scale 116 in terms of minutes remaining before the latch 25 is released.

Briefly summarizing the operation of the device 10, it will be recalled that the knob 70 is first rotated in either direction so as to position the timing disc 56 about the fixed bushing 32 and establish a time interval for the timing cycle. The interval setting is read directly on the scale 70a. The disc 56 may be turned clockwise since its mounting sleeve 58 simply slips within the locking spring 60 when rotated in this direction. Counterclockwise rotation of the disc is permitted by the slight lost-motion movement of the gear wheel 66 and its collar 65 which loosens the locking spring 60 and allows the disc to rotate in a counterclockwise direction.

Once the dial 56 is properly set to establish the de sired timing interval it remains locked in position by the action of the locking spring 60.

To initiate operation of the device, the pushbutton 100 is depressed. This straightens out the linkage 101 and slides the plate 80 from its rest position. Movement of the plate 80 deflects the contact bearing spring arms 21, 22, through the pin 87, so that the contacts are operated and latched by the spring latch 25. Simultaneously, movement of the plate releases the clutch 40 by tightening and slightly rotating the release spring 90 and thus the cam arm 30 is freed to swing under the -motor begins to return the arm in a clockwise direction by driving the shaft 31 through the engaged clutch 40. As the cam arm is driven back toward the latch 25, the minutes remaining in the cycle are indicated by the scale 116.

When the cam arm 30 engages and operates the latch 25, the contact arms 21, 22 are freed to return to their normal position and the contacts 20 are opened, deenergizing the motor 35 and deactivating the socket 12.

It will be appreciated that the timing disc 56 remains in its set position during the timing cycle and that each time the pushbutton 100 is depressed, the device will activate the socket 12 for the preselected timing interval.

The controls for the timing device 10 are extremely simple, comprising only the knob 70 and the pushbutton 100, and it can be seen that their function will be obvious to users of the device. It may also be noted that the device is extremely compact, with a majority of the operating parts being mounted about the single shaft 31.

It will be understood that the timing cycle can be lengthened or shortened during operation of the device. To shorten the timing cycle, it is sufficient to rotate the knob 70 so as to carry the pin 55 in a clockwise direction against the cam arm 30 and then to move the cam arm in a clockwise direction until the scale 116 indicates the desired number of minutes to remain in the timing interval. The cam arm 30 can be moved in a clockwise direction without interfering with the motor 35 since the clutch 40 functions as an over-running clutch with the clutch spring 41 readily permitting the shaft portion 42 to rotate in a clockwise direction more rapidly than the driven sleeve 43 is rotating.

In order to delay the timing cycle for a predetermined interval, it suffices to set the disc 56 so that the scale 70a reads an amount equalizing the number of minutes remaining, as shown by the scale 116, plus the desired extension interval. That is, if the dial 115 showed ten minutes remaining in the timing cycle and it was desired to extend the interval to fifteen minutes, the disc 56 is set so that its scale 70a reads fifteen minutes and then 6 the pushbutton is depressed. This operation will re lease the clutch 40 and allow the cam arm 30 to swing back through an arc representing the additional five-minute time interval desired without disturbing the contacts 20.

We claim as our invention:

1. A timing device for operating a switch through a preselected cycle comprising, in combination, a frame, a pair of contacts on said frame resiliently held in a normal position, a latch on said frame for locking said contacts in place when they are moved into operated relation, a shaft journaled in said frame adjacent said latch, a latch operator carried by said shaft so as to be swingable through an are for engaging and releasing said latch and thus allowing said contacts to be restored to their normal position, a synchronous motor secured to said frame in driving engagement with a sleeve on said shaft, means for energizing said motor when said contacts are operated, a clutch coupling said sleeve and said shaft, said clutch having an extended release element, a timing disc journaled on said shaft, means for locking said disc in selected rotational positions on said shaft, an abutment pin on said disc extending into the arc of said operator, said operator being resiliently urged toward said pin and away from said latch, a plate slidably mounted on said frame and being resiliently urged to a rest position, means coupling said plate both to said contacts and to said clutch release element, and a pushbutton operated linkage for sliding said plate from its rest position so as to operate said contacts and release said clutch whereupon the contacts are latched, the operator is swung against said pin, and the motor is energized .to drive the operator through its arc and restore the contacts at the end ofa cycle determined by the setting of,said disc. 7

2. A timing device for operating a switch through a preselected cycle comprising, in combination, a frame, a pair of contacts on said frame resiliently held in a normal position, a latch on said frame for locking said contacts in place when they are moved into operative relation, a shaft journaled in said frame adjacent said latch, a latch operator carried by said shaft so as to be swingable through an arc for engaging and releasing said latch and thus allowing said contacts to be restored to their normal position, a synchronous motor secured to said frame in driving engagement with a sleeve on said shaft, a helical clutch spring snugly surrounding adjoining portions of said sleeve and said shaft, said clutch spring being wound so that said motor may drive said operator toward said latch, one end of said clutch spring being secured to a collar loosely surrounding said spring, a helical release spring wound loosely around said collar, a timing disc journaled on said shaft, means for locking said disc in selected rotational positions about said shaft, an abutment pin on said disc extending into the arc of said operator, said operator being resiliently urged toward said pin and away fromsaid latch, and a cycle initiating member coupled to said clutch and said contacts so that said movement of the member operates the contacts and tightens and rotates said release spring so as to release said clutch spring, whereupon the contacts are latched, the operator is urged against the abutment pin, and the motor is energized to drive the operator through its arc and thus restore the contacts at the end of a cycle determined by the setting of said disc.

3. A timing device, comprising, in combination, a frame, a switch controlling element on said frame, a shaft journaled in said frame adjacent said element, an element operator carried by said shaft so as to be swingable through an arc for engaging and operating said element, a motor secured to said frame in driving engagement with a sleeve on said shaft, a helical clutch spring snugly surrounding adjoining portions of said sleeve and said shaft, said clutch spring being wound so that said motor may drive said operator toward said element, one end of said clutch spring being secured to a collar loosely surrounding said spring, a helical release spring wound loosely aroundysaid collar, a timing disc journaled on said shaft, means forlocking said disc in selected rotational positionsabout-said shaft, an abutment pin on said disc extending into the arc of said operator, said operator being resiliently urged toward said pin and away from said element, -anda cycleinitiating member coupled to said clutch and said mo tor so that said movement ofthe member energizes, the motor and tightens and rotates said release spring so as to release said clutch spring, whereupon the operator is urged against the abutment pin and the energized motor drives the operator through its arc to operate the element atthe end of a cycle determined by the setting of said disc.

4. A timing device for operating a switch through a preselected cycle comprising, in combination, a frame, a pair of switch contacts on said frame resiliently held in normal position, a'latch on said frame for locking said contacts in place when they are moved into operative relation, a shaft journaled in said frame adjacent said latch, a latch operator carried by said shaft so as to be swingable through anarc for engaging and releasing said latch andthusallowing said contacts to be restored to their normal position, a synchronous motor secured to said frame'in driving engagement with a sleeve on said shaft, means for energizing said motor when said contacts are operated, a clutch coupling said sleeve and said shaft, said clutch having an extended release element, a timing disc journaled on said shaft, an abutment pin on said disc extending into the arcof said operator, said operator being resiliently urged toward said pin and away from said latch, a helicallocking spring snugly surrounding adjoining cylindrical portions formed on said disc and said frame, said lockingspring being wound so that said abutment pin cannot move under theurging of said operator, a collar surrounding said locking spring carrying a disc positioning gear lying parallel to said disc, said pin being disposedwith clearance through an aperture in said gear so that theremay be rotational lost motion between said disc and gear, said spring having one free end secured to said collar so'that rotation ofsaid gear in either direction will also rotate said disc, and a cycle initiating member coupiedto said contacts and said c-lutch release element so that movement of the member releases the clutch and operates thecontacts, whereupon the contacts are latched, the operator is urged against ,the pin and the motor is energized to drive the operator through its arc and thus restore the contacts at the endof a cycle determined by the setting of said disc.

5. A timing device comprising, in combination, a frame, a switch controlling element on said frame, a shaft journaled in said frame adjacent said element, an element operator carried bysaid shaft so as to, be swingable through an are for engaging and operating said element, a motor securedto said frame in driving engagement with a sleeve on said shaft, a clutch coupling said sleeve and said shaft, said clutch having an extended release member, a timing disc journaled on said shaft, an abutment pin on said disc extending into the arc of said operator, said operator being resiliently urged toward said pin and away from said element, a helical locking spring snugly surrounding adjoining cylindrical portions formed on said disc and said frame, said locking spring being wound so that said abutment pin cannot move under the urging of said operator, a collar surrounding said locking spring carrying a disc positioning gear lying parallel to said disc, said pin being disposed with clearance-through an aperture in said gear so that there may be rotational lost motion between said disc and gear, said spring having one free end secured to said collar so that [rotation of said gear in either direction will also rotate said disc, and a cycle initiating actuator coupled to said moto-r and said clutch release member so that movement of the actuator releases the clutch and energizes the motor, whereupon the operator is urged against thepin and the energized motor drives the operator through its are .to

operate the element at the end of a cycle determined by the setting of said disc.

6. A timing device comprising, in combination, a frame, a switch controlling element on said frame, a shaft journaled in said frame adjacent said element, an element operator carried by said shaft so as to be swingable through an are for engaging and operating said element, a motor secured to said frame in driving engagement with a sleeve on said shaft, a helical clutch spring snugly surrounding adjoining portions of said sleeve and said shaft, said clutch spring being wound so that said motor may drive said operator'toward said switch controlling element, one 'end ofsaid clutch spring being securedto a collar loosely surrounding said spring, an abutment pin extending into the arc of said operator, said operator being resiliently urged toward said pin and away from said element, and a cycle initiating member coupled to said collar and said motor so that movement of the member energizes the motor and rotates the collar so as to' release said clutch spring, whereupon the operator is urged against the abutment pin and the energized motor drives the operator from the pin to the element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,225,207 Ellis Nov. 26, 1940 2,352,156 Anderson June 27, 1944 2,372,253 Coren Mar. 27, 1945 2,459,876 Gibson Jan. 25, 1949 2,525,440 Akeley Oct. 10, 1950 2,644,518 Hertrich July 7, 1953 2,792,059 Mathews May 14, 1957' 2,832,856 Goodhouse Apr. 29, 1958 

